Underground mine rescue pod

ABSTRACT

An rescue pod is disclosed having walls providing a substantially airtight interior, a transponder for communication, interior and exterior atmospheric monitoring systems. The disclosed rescue pod also has support equipment, systems for powering the equipment, and a connection for providing access to external communications and power sources. The rescue pod also comprises a positive air pressure system.

This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application60/776,954, filed on Feb. 28, 2006, which is herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The invention generally relates to mine safety and more specifically toan emergency safety pod developed for the purpose of sustaining thelives of miners in case of disaster.

The mining industry is subject to distinct and inherent risk ofextremely hazardous and often fatal catastrophes which may occur withlittle or no warning. Consequently, mining accidents account forthousands of deaths each year, particularly in developing countries.Such accidents vary widely in magnitude and origin, ranging from seismicactivity, poisonous gas and ignition of flammable gas, to suddenflooding, dust explosions and collapsing shafts.

In the face of a sudden, life-threatening emergency, the unfortunateindividuals closest to the danger may be unable to reach an exit of themine or the chamber in time. Accordingly, some mines may includelife-saving pods which may be installed within the mine and transportedto remain within the vicinity of areas where miners plan to carry outtheir work. A known life protection enclosure for mines is shown in U.S.Pat. No. 4,815,363 (“the '363 patent”). The enclosure of the '363patent, however, is lacking in several respects. For example, the '363patent does not provide means for monitoring interior and exterioratmospheric conditions, does not include a system for maintaining apositive interior air pressure, nor does it include a equipment foraiding in locating potentially buried pods, such as a system employing atransponder or the like. A life-saving pod capable of installation andtransportation within a mine, for providing protection against theaforementioned dangers and other hazards, and remedying the above listeddeficiencies is desired.

SUMMARY

The underground Mine Rescue Pod (“pod”) is an emergency safety poddeveloped for the purpose of sustaining lives of miners in case ofdisaster. The pod's exterior rigid steel frame, which may for example beconstructed to MSHA canopy standards, is designed to withstand a typicalmine-roof fall and to protect miners against possible secondaryexplosions and noxious atmospheric elements. Use of fire-resistantinsulation creates heat-resistant walls for the pod. The pod also has asubstantially airtight interior.

The pod's interior provides an atmosphere-controlled environment,housing emergency equipment such as an oxygen generator, nourishment,and a transponder for communication between occupants of the pod andpersons and/or equipment outside the pod, such as a rescue team.Additionally, the pod is equipped with both interior and exterior airquality sensors for monitoring levels of various gases inside andoutside the shelter, and other air quality characteristics.

In one aspect, the invention provides a pod comprising a substantiallyairtight structure, including an oxygen supply system, batteries,charging equipment and equipment for monitoring the interior atmosphereof the pod.

In another aspect, the invention provides a pod comprising asubstantially airtight structure, including an oxygen supply system,batteries, charging equipment and equipment for monitoring theatmosphere in the vicinity of the exterior of the pod and relaying theinformation to the interior of the pod.

In another aspect, the invention provides a pod comprising asubstantially airtight structure, including an oxygen supply system,batteries, charging equipment and equipment for maintaining a positiveair pressure within the interior atmosphere of the pod. These and otherfeatures and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understoodfrom the following detailed description and drawings of preferredembodiments of the present invention

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an underground mine rescue pod according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pod of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the pod of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view of detail A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view of detail B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an underground mine rescuepod according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a door of the pod of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view taken along section line VIII-VIII of FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a view taken along section line IX-IX of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shownby way of illustration preferred embodiments of the invention. Theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to make and use them, and it is to be understood thatstructural, logical or procedural changes may be made.

Refer now to FIG. 1, there being shown an underground mine rescue pod,generally designated by reference numeral 10, according to a preferredembodiment of the invention. The pod 10 is generally rectangular inshape having walls 20, including sidewalls 22 and 24, a front wall 23,back wall 21, a top wall 25 (FIG. 2) and a bottom wall 26. The frontwall 23 has an aperture 28 sealable by a door 30. The pod 10 containssupplies and equipment for life support for miners or other persons inemergency situations. The equipment includes a number ofnon-gas-emitting type batteries 61 for providing power to the pod 10.Suitable charging equipment 69 for charging the batteries 61 is alsoprovided. Typically, the pod 10 will be placed at or near a substation70 for each such unit in the mine, or where power is available. Aconnection 71 may be provided on the pod 10 for connecting the pod 10through power and communications equipment 73 into available power andcommunication lines at the substation 70. The charging equipment 69 isalso connectable with the substation 70.

An oxygen supply system 62 may include tanks of oxygen or one or moreoxygen generators. Suitable oxygen generators could include, forexample, those provided by Chembio Shelter Inc. of Allentown, Pa.Alternatively, an oxygen candle and carbon monoxide (CO) curtain (notshown) may be used in the oxygen supply system 62. An oxygen candle is acanister that, when activated, emits oxygen as a result of a chemicalreaction. A CO curtain absorbs CO and is typically flat and flexible,and may be rolled up for storage. Suitable example of oxygen candles andCO curtains are also provided by Chembio Shelter, Inc.

Also within the pod 10 are a chemical commode 63, line communicationequipment 67, which may be telephone equipment, and a location beacon66, which may be, for example, a transponder. Moveable components may beplaced in an interior overhead shelf 68 that may also hold food andwater. In use, the location beacon 66 may emit a signal to aidsearchers, rescuers or other miners in locating the pod 10.

Along the sides of the pod are bench seats 64. The oxygen supply system62 and other equipment may be stored under the seats 64. The pod 10 maybe made corresponding to the dimension of the mine shaft, in a preferredembodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the pod 10 is about sixteenfeet long, about fifty inches high and about seventy-seven inches wide.This size should be able to hold about fourteen people and support themfor about ninety-six hours. Alternatively, the pod 10 may be sized toshelter sixteen people for approximately 600 hours. Other sizes could beused.

An exterior air quality display 65 provides information from an exteriorair quality sensor 60 regarding the atmospheric and air qualityconditions outside of the pod 10. An interior air quality sensor anddisplay unit 72 monitors and provides information regarding theatmospheric conditions within the pod 10. As an additional safetymeasure, and in particular against any cracks or faults in the integrityof the pod 10, an air pressure system 83 may be provided, such as avalve 84 responsive to a pressure sensor 85 to release oxygen at a rateto maintain a positive air pressure within the pod 10. In use, thepositive air pressure equipment maintains a slightly higher pressureinside the pod 10 as compared with air pressure outside the pod. Assuch, the air pressure system 83 minimizes the risk of noxious gasesthat may exist exterior of the pod from seeping into the interior of thepod 10, and further endangering the occupants.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the door 30 is shown in greater detail. In theillustrated embodiment, the door 30 has two hinges 40. Four lever locks50 are provided, one at each corner of the door 30. In a preferredembodiment, the bottom wall 26 is lined with mild steel, which may be ⅝inch mild steel, which functions as a sled when the pod 10 is moved. Apull eye 27 (FIG. 3) is provided at each bottom corner, for example, formoving the pod 10. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the pod 10. The top wall25, side walls 22, front wall 23 and back wall 21 are made of one-inchthick mild steel plate in a preferred embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 4, the wall construction of detail A (FIG. 1) isshown. The walls in a preferred embodiment may include structuralH-beams 29 having faces, and plates 54 and 56. In a preferredembodiment, all of the walls 21, 22, 23, and 25 of the pod 10 are ofsimilar construction. The space between the plates 54 and 56 is filledwith a fire resistant insulation 58. The fire resistant insulation 58may be blown into the space as foam and allowed to harden. In oneembodiment, the H-beams 29 are four-inch H-beams that are rated 14pounds per foot.

With reference to FIG. 5, detail B (FIG. 1) of a portion of the door 30is described. Hinges 40 include arms 41 that extend to pivot in the eye42 attached to the front wall 23, preferably proximate an H-beam 29. Thelocks 50 can be rotated to engage the angled catch 51 with the angleiron 52 to lock the door 30 to seal the aperture 28. A fire resistantdoor gasket 53 is compressed upon the engagement of the angle iron 52 bycatch 51. The gasket 53 may be similar to gasket materials used in ovendoors. In use, the locking arrangement of FIG. 5 should result in anair-tight attachment of the door 30 to the wall 23 of the pod 10.

Refer now to FIGS. 6 through 9, there being shown an underground minerescue pod, generally designated by reference numeral 110, according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention. The pod 110 has widerspacing along its walls 120 between the H-beams 129, as compared withthe pod 10. Also, the pod 110 has a circular door that is shown in itslocked position in FIG. 7. The door 130 has a groove 132 that engages anedge of a ring 131 of the pod 110. The door 130 also has innerprotrusions 133 that provide alignment with the ring 131. The door 130may be hinged (not shown).

While the invention has been described in detail in connection withpreferred embodiments known at the time, it should be readily understoodthat the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather,the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A mine rescue pod for placement in underground mines and forproviding protection to miners, comprising: a substantially airtightstructure including walls forming an enclosed interior and an exposedexterior; an opening in at least one of said walls for providing apassage for miners from the exterior to the interior of the pod and viceversa, said opening being sealable by a door which maintains thesubstantially airtight structure; an oxygen supply system for providingoxygen to the interior of the pod; an air quality sensor for monitoringthe interior atmosphere of the pod; batteries contained within theinterior of the pod for providing power to at least said air qualitysensor; charging equipment contained within the interior of the pod tocharge said batteries; and a connecting portion for connecting anexternal power source to said charging equipment, and for connectingcommunication lines interior of the pod to the exterior of the pod. 2.The rescue pod of claim 1, wherein the oxygen supply system comprisesoxygen tanks.
 3. The rescue pod of claim 1, wherein the oxygen supplysystem comprises oxygen candles or carbon monoxide curtains.
 4. Therescue pod of claim 1, wherein the oxygen supply system comprises anoxygen generator.
 5. The rescue pod of claim 1, wherein the wallscomprise structural H-beams disposed between opposing steel plates. 6.The rescue pod of claim 5, further comprising a fire resistantinsulation installed between the opposing steel plates.
 7. The rescuepod of claim 1, further comprising air sensing equipment for monitoringatmosphere exterior to the pod and relaying information obtained fromsaid monitoring to the interior of the pod.
 8. The rescue pod of claim1, further comprising communication equipment for connection to saidcommunication lines, for communicating with the exterior of the pod. 9.The rescue pod of claim 1, further comprising a transponder containedwithin the interior of the pod for emitting a beacon signal to aid inlocating the pod.
 10. A mine rescue pod for placement in undergroundmines and for providing protection to miners, comprising: asubstantially airtight structure including walls forming an enclosedinterior and an exposed exterior; an opening in at least one of saidwalls for providing passage for miners from the exterior to the interiorof the pod and vice versa, said opening being sealable by a door whichmaintains the substantially airtight structure; an oxygen supply systemfor providing oxygen to the interior of the pod; air sensing equipmentfor monitoring the atmosphere exterior of the pod and relayinginformation obtained from said monitoring to the interior of the pod;batteries contained within the interior of the pod for supplying powerto at least said air sensing equipment; and charging equipment containedwithin the interior of the pod to charge said batteries.
 11. The rescuepod of claim 10, wherein the oxygen supply system comprises oxygentanks.
 12. The rescue pod of claim 10, wherein the oxygen supply systemcomprises oxygen candles or carbon monoxide curtains.
 13. The rescue podof claim 10, wherein the oxygen supply system comprises an oxygengenerator.
 14. The rescue pod of claim 10, wherein the walls comprisestructural H-beams disposed between opposing steel plates.
 15. Therescue pod of claim 14, further comprising a fire resistant insulationinstalled in between the plates.
 16. The rescue pod of claim 10, furthercomprising air sensing equipment for monitoring the interior atmosphereof the pod.
 17. The rescue pod of claim 10, further comprising atransponder contained within the interior of the pod for emitting abeacon signal to aid in locating the pod.
 18. A mine rescue pod forplacement in underground mines and for providing protection to miners,comprising: a substantially airtight structure including walls formingan enclosed interior side and an exposed exterior side; an opening in atleast one of said walls for providing passage for miners from theexterior to the interior side of the pod and vice versa, said openingbeing sealable by a door which maintains the substantially airtightstructure; an oxygen supply system for providing oxygen to the interiorof the pod; a positive pressure system for maintaining positiveatmospheric pressure within the interior of the pod, wherein saidpositive air pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure outside thepod; and a power supply contained within the interior of the pod forpowering said positive pressure system.
 19. The rescue pod of claim 19,wherein the oxygen supply system comprises oxygen tanks.
 20. The rescuepod of claim 19, wherein the oxygen supply system comprises oxygencandles and carbon monoxide curtains.
 21. The rescue pod of claim 19,wherein the oxygen supply system comprises an oxygen generator.
 22. Therescue pod of claim 19, wherein the walls comprise structural H-beamsdisposed between opposing steel plates.
 23. The rescue pod of claim 22,further comprising a fire resistant insulation installed in between theplates.
 24. The rescue pod of claim 19, further comprising a transpondercontained within the interior of the pod for emitting a beacon signal toaid in locating the pod.
 25. The rescue pod of claim 19, furthercomprising charging equipment contained within the interior of the podto charge said batteries.